Dear Editor:
There are 4 fundamental questions that Siri Agrell [‘Call for More Fetal Tests Raises Concerns’ in National Post] and the SOGC (Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Canada) do not address but which must be addressed if this country is to retain a semblance of civilization. These are:
- Is any preborn child at any age a person with any legal or social rights? And remember when addressing this that the burden of proof lies with those who would feel free to kill the preborn if it is decided in the negative. Can the Society or individual Obstetricians and Gynaecologists provide evidence beyond reasonable doubt to show that the fetus is anything other than a human person?
- Should a person’s inalienable right to life be determined by any assessment of their genetic or social quality? I wonder if any member of the SOGC ever stood on the platform outside Auschwitz where once “Dr.” Mengele casually assessed Jewish people as they came out of the cattle cars and with a wave of his white gloved hand indicated his decision who should live and who should immediately die because of their low quality of life for his interests.
- If some genetically determined assessment is to determine who is to live and who to die, where is the cut off and who will decide it? Surely members of SOGC must think that if no one else is interested in this question, it is the Life Insurance companies. Surely these good doctors occasionally wonder how they would respond if pressure was applied to them to terminate a preborn child or grandchild of theirs whose quality of life doesn’t measure up but is dearly regarded.
- What is the evidence that in the long run, the parents are healthier, less stressed by living their whole lives knowing they agreed to have their innocent child’s life terminated, compared to living with a handicapped child who will give them loads of loyalty and love in exchange for a modicum of care and protection? I know of no such study.
Until there is proof of valid indication and benefit, no doctor is entitled to perform invasive surgery. Without adhering to the stipulations of evidence based medicine, any abortion is a criminal assault.
Yours sincerely
Philip Ney MD
See original article here: National Post: Call for more fetal tests raises concerns